Idaho News & Current Events | Public News Service

Volunteers boost the labor capacity of Idaho nonprofits by an estimated 35% each year. (Rawpixel.com/Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, December 5, 2023

Volunteer day: Recognizing work that keeps ID communities thriving

Today is International Volunteer Day, a celebration of the work people offer to support the causes they care for. Nonprofits across the country rely …

A decision on whether to provide Endangered Species protections to wolverine has wavered since the 1990s. (Karlos Lomsky/Adobe Stock)

Decades-long effort yields protections for dwindling wolverine population

In a long-awaited decision being celebrated by conservation groups, the wolverine will receive greater protections across the northern Cascades and …

Of more than 150,000 people evaluated, Idaho found only about 30,000 were eligible for Medicaid after extended protections went away this year. (zimmytws/Adobe Stock)

Children lost health coverage in ID's Medicaid unwinding process

Idaho acted quickly to remove people from Medicaid after special COVID-19 protections expired in April, including health coverage for tens of …

Family caregivers in Idaho provided 193 million hours of unpaid labor in 2021. (Evrymmnt/Adobe Stock)

ID officials recognize critical role of family caregivers

Idaho officials are holding an event in the capitol to recognize family caregivers during National Family Caregiver Month. Lieutenant Governor Scott …

Abortions have increased in states bordering Idaho since the beginning of the year. (Fitz/Adobe Stock)

Federal judge puts ID abortion travel ban on hold

A federal judge has temporarily blocked an anti-abortion law in Idaho restricting people's ability to travel to other states for the procedure…

School boards in Idaho have already decided to restrict access to some books, including books by Nobel Prize winner Toni Morrison. (Ezume Images/Adobe Stock)

ID school board elections could determine fate of book restrictions

School board elections in Idaho on Tuesday could impact what students are allowed to read. Although school board elections are often overlooked…

For many migrant agricultural laborers in Idaho, language is a barrier to mental health services. (fizkes/Adobe Stock)

Advocates seek to expand mental health services among ID's Spanish speakers

Spanish-speaking Idahoans face a lack of mental health resources and advocates in the state want to change it. Kurtis Pugh, mental health manager …

In Idaho, voters don't need an excuse to request an absentee ballot to vote by mail. (The Toidi/Adobe Stock)

Faster postal service speed improves voter turnout, research finds

When the postal service works better, people are more likely to vote - according to new research. The study published in the Election Law Journal …

A mining exploration project has been proposed near Grimes Creek, a tributary of the Boise River. (Autumn/Adobe Stock)

Mine exploration project near Boise River headwaters raises alarm

Conservation groups are concerned about a mining exploration project proposed near the headwaters of the Boise River. The Idaho Copper Corporation …

More than one in five Idahoans receive Social Security benefits. (chuck/Adobe Stock)

Advocates urge Congress to fix Social Security before cuts necessary

Social Security is a critical benefit for older Americans, which is why advocates want Congress to start working now to ensure the program is …

Students get money tips during Financial Planning Month

October is Financial Planning Month, and an engaging event is helping high schoolers think about their money-managing futures. More than 90 Bite of …

Child advocates say Halloween doesn't have to be a scary time. It can foster healthy social engagement. (Christin Lola/Adobe Stock)

Halloween offers chance for families to connect with community

Halloween is coming up and for kids and parents, the holiday provides an opportunity to connect with their community. Kim Hemmert, grants manager …

Idaho's redistricting is conducted by a six-person commission. (Rob/Adobe Stock)

Despite independent commission, report gives ID redistricting 'D' grade

Idaho received a poor grade in a recent report analyzing redistricting in the state, but it has made the process fairer than many other states…

Idaho law enforcement received nearly 6,000 reported incidents of intimate partner violence in 2022. (nito/Adobe Stock)

Domestic violence awareness month: struggles for pregnant, indigenous people

October is domestic violence awareness month. The issue remains prevalent across the nation and in Idaho. Nearly one in three women experience …

Idaho outlawed abortions in nearly all situations in 2022. (trac1/Adobe Stock)

In restrictive ID, stage show aims to reduce abortion's stigma

A stage show hopes to normalize how people talk about abortion in Idaho, a state with some of the most restrictive abortion laws in the country…

To avoid scams, people are advised not to share personal information with unknown callers. (terovesalainen/Adobe Stock)

To prevent fraud, better to be 'rude' than 'robbed'

Fraud prevention experts are getting the word out in Idaho on how to avoid scams. Events across the state in October aim to help people identify and …

Salmon continue to struggle to migrate from the Pacific Ocean to Idaho to spawn. (NorthwestWildImages/Adobe Stock)

Presidential memo urges steps to restore NW salmon

The Biden administration wants to get serious about restoring salmon populations to the Northwest. A presidential memorandum directs federal …

Lewiston, Idaho, sits on the Snake River at the border with Washington. (Guy Sagi/Adobe Stock)

Indigenous leaders in ID call for action to save salmon

Indigenous leaders are traveling through the Northwest to highlight the plight of dwindling fish populations in the region. The All Our Relations …

11 Idaho wastewater facilities accounted for more than half of discharge violations in 2022. (Kekyalyaynen/Adobe Stock)

Report: 520 discharge violations from ID sewage plants in 2022

A new report finds more than half of the sewage facilities in Idaho had pollution violations in 2022. The sixth annual analysis by the Idaho …

Idaho saw a 22% increase in opioid overdoses between 2020 and 2021. (Kimberly Boyles/Adobe Stock)

Bills in Congress Would Extend Medicaid to Incarcerated

Organizations in Idaho are calling on the state's congressional delegation to support access to health coverage and substance-use treatment for the in…

Time management is among the most important aspects of being a student and parent. (A. Frank, peopleimages.com/Adobe Stock)

Boise State Creates Space for Student Parents, Kids

In September, the spotlight is on a college student population that is often overlooked: parents. This month is student parent month and studies show …

Only 29% of respondents to a recent AARP survey said they had a backup power generator. (Oleksandr/Adobe Stock)

ID Event to Help Idahoans Prepare for Disasters

Next week, AARP Idaho is holding a town hall on preparing for disasters before they strike. On Tuesday, the regional Federal Emergency Management …

The U.S. Department of Energy wants to develop nuclear waste interim storage facilities. (Satakorn/Adobe Stock)

Fed Board Meets in ID to Discuss Nuclear Waste Storage

Federal officials are in Idaho to discuss where to store nuclear waste. The U.S. Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board, an independent federal agency…

There are estimated to be nearly 730 grizzly bears in the Yellowstone National Park region. (kellyvandellen/Adobe Stock)

Grizzlies Could Have Protections Removed Under Bill in Congress

Members of Idaho's Congressional delegation want to remove endangered species protections for grizzly bears. Sen. Jim Risch, R-Idaho, has introduced …

A trusted adult can be an important resource for kids during their first week of school. (Kiattisak/Adobe Stock)

Tips for Idaho Parents to Make Back-to-School Less Stressful

The new school year can be a stressful time both for kids and parents, but a few useful tips can reduce some of those anxieties. Kim Hemmert…

Idaho lawmakers passed changes to voter registration during the 2023 session. (Mark Bradbury/Adobe Stock)

ID Voter Registration Law Could Hurt Ballot Measures' Chances

Voter registration has changed in Idaho. Along with reducing the number of eligible voters, critics say it could also hurt ballot initiatives' …

Atomic bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan, three days apart at the end of World War II. (George Caron, Charles Levy/Wikimedia Commons)

Oppenheimer, Japan Bombings Put Nuclear Energy in Harsh Light

The power and destructiveness of nuclear energy has been in the spotlight since the film "Oppenheimer" was released in July. It is in focus again …

The U.S. Supreme Court's decision in the Dobbs case last year sent abortion rights to states to decide. (Heidi/Adobe Stock)

Legal Challenges Bog Down Idaho's Abortion Travel Ban

An Idaho law banning interstate travel for abortion care to people under age 18 is facing legal challenges. This week, a federal judge barred …

The installed capacity of Idaho wind energy is 973 MW, according to the American Clean Power Association. (Steven/Adobe Stock)

Congress Spending Bill Rider Could Slow Down ID Wind Energy Installation

A spending bill in Washington, D.C. includes a provision to conduct further study of wind energy before its installation in Idaho. Critics say the …

Teaching about boundaries is not just helpful for adults, but children as well. (artit/Adobe Stock)

ID Child Sex Abuse Cases Stress Urgency of Prevention Methods

An unfortunate spate of child sexual abuse cases in Idaho is putting prevention methods in the spotlight. A Kuna middle school teacher recently …

There were 14 health advisories and closures on Idaho lakes because of algae blooms in 2022. (Mykola Mazuryk/Adobe Stock)

Algae Blooms Undermine Summer Fun in ID

During the summer, many Idahoans head to the water, but algae outbreaks can stop them from a relaxing day cooling off. Algae blooms typically occur …

Critics of a new law in Idaho say it will be hard to register to vote without a driver's license. (Darylann Elmi/Adobe Stock)

Youth-Led ID Group Goes to Court to Stop New Voter Registration Law

Critics of a new voter registration law in Idaho are attempting to stop it in court. House Bill 340 requires proof of residency and went into effect …

Last year, more than 220 activities were planned for Latino Conservation Week across the country. (mmg1design/Adobe Stock)

Latino Conservation Week Celebration Comes to ID

This week is Latino Conservation Week, and 2023 marks the tenth year of the celebration. Latino Conservation Week began on July 15 and runs through …

Pandemic-related SNAP benefits ended in March, causing thousands to fall off the

Changes to SNAP in 2023 Farm Bill Concern Hunger-Fighting Groups

Anti-hunger advocates are closely watching negotiations over the 2023 Farm Bill. Every five years, Congress considers this large piece of …

The Winchester Community Library has until Nov. 30 to build out its new garden. (Halfpoint/Adobe Stock)

Six Community Improvement Projects in ID Selected for Grant Funding

Six projects were selected in Idaho for a grant program designed to make communities more livable. AARP has announced the recipients of its annual …

There were more than 3.3 million visits to Yellowstone National Park in 2022. (done4today/Adobe STock)

Alternatives Available to Overcrowding in National Parks

America's national parks are bracing for another record year of attendance, but overcrowding in the parks could take away some of their magic…

Radioactive waste is typically stored at the site where it's generated. (MichaelVi/Adobe Stock)

Nuclear Waste Transportation Draws Opposition in West

Concerns are growing in the west about nuclear waste transportation. On Tuesday, the Snake River Alliance is holding a webinar on these concerns…

While the pandemic worsened the issue, youth mental health was on the decline before COVID-19 hit. (Synthex/Adobe Stock)

Barriers Exist for Addressing Youth Mental Health in ID Schools

Mental health issues are at epidemic rates among young people, but the issue can be hard to tackle in Idaho schools. America's Health Ranking …

Idaho ranks fifth in the nation among states in the Family and Community category of a new report on child well-being. (Douglas Hughmanick/Adobe Stock)

ID Ranks High in Child Well-Being, But Child Care Costs Concerning

Idaho ranks fairly high compared to other states in a new report on children's well-being, but the high cost of child care lurks as a burden for …

Salmon populations in the Northwest face growing decline in the region. (jamie/Adobe Stock)

White House Engages NW on Dams, Future of Salmon

The Biden Administration is considering the future of Pacific Northwest salmon and the effect of dams in the region. The White House Council on …

A six month experiment will take place at the Idaho National Laboratory to test a new type of nuclear reactor. (MichaelVi/Adobe Stock)

ID Experiment Prompts Concerns of Nuclear Weapons Proliferation

An experimental nuclear technology project slated for testing in Idaho is raising concerns about the potential for nuclear weapons proliferation…

The Snake River plain, which will receive restoration funds from BLM, is home to diverse landscapes.(Danita Delimont/Adobe Stock)

ID Projects Among Those Selected for Landscape Restoration Funds

The federal government is investing $161 million into restoration projects across the West. The U.S. Bureau of Land Management has selected 21 …

In 2017, Delaware became the second state to adopt the Idaho Stop, 35 years after the Gem State did so. (skilas/Adobe Stock)

Idaho Stop Law for Cyclists Rolls Across U.S.

The "Idaho Stop" measure for bicyclists is spreading to other states. Minnesota is the latest to adopt the so-called Idaho Stop, in which cyclists …

In 2004, a couple from Priest Lake, Idaho, attempted to build a house but were stopped because of nearby protected wetlands. (Kirk Fisher/Adobe Stock)

SCOTUS Idaho Case Unravels Federal Wetlands Protections

A U.S. Supreme Court case that began in Idaho has weakened protections across the nation under the Clean Water Act. The justices on Thursday handed …

Ideal Option's mobile clinic for substance abuse treatment is operating in the small eastern Idaho town of Rexburg. (Ideal Option)

Mobile Clinic Aids in Addiction Treatment in Rural ID

A mobile clinic is bringing drug treatment to rural Idaho. The organization Ideal Option's first treatment clinic on wheels is in Rexburg. Ideal …

Pollution flows from mines in Canada's Elk River Valley to the Kootenai River, which runs through Montana and Idaho. (JOAN/Adobe Stock)

Canadian Coal Mine Pollution Threatens North ID River

Pollution from Canadian mines is endangering one of Idaho's largest rivers. Selenium and other pollutants from coal mines across the northern …

A lack of social connections can increase the risk of premature death by more than 60%. (DREIDREIEINS Foto/Adobe Stock)

Mental, Heart Health Could Be Directly Connected

It's mental health awareness month and mental well-being is connected to a person's overall health, including heart health. Dr. Jennifer Shalz is …

In a new report, Georgetown defined a good paying job as one with a median income of $57,000 at age 30. (Fabio/Adobe Stock)

Report: Variety of Ways for Young People to Get Good Paying Jobs

A new report explored the pathways young people can take to land good-paying jobs, and a popular program in Idaho is helping young people with the …

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